Understanding the Building Process and Team Work - Maintenance Surveyors

The functional life of buildings in Hong Kong is around 30 to 50 years, sometimes even longer. While in Europe and the United Kingdom, buildings of 200 to 300 years old can be found quite often. It is the Maintenance Surveyor´s responsibility to make sure that these buildings remain fit and updated to meet the current usage.

Maintenance Surveyors normally conduct various in-depth inspections to examine the building's conditions, just like a doctor conduct body checks. They aim at finding out the root of the problems so that effective remedial solutions or maintenance programme can be applied to the building.

If buildings are aged beyond repairs, or it is time to bring changes to meet new needs and usages, Maintenance Surveyors will carry out building alteration to install current safety facilities and modern installations to meet the requirement of the new legislation and updated usages. These include the barrier free access, lifts, air-conditioning systems, fire service installations or modify layouts etc.

What are the essential characters and qualities required for a Maintenance Surveyor?

Maintenance Surveyors need to be on site very often to investigate and inspect buildings. If one is interested in buildings and enjoys outdoor activities, this is the right job. In order to propose the effective solutions to various problems found in a building, Maintenance Surveyors need to carry out tasks with persistence and determination. They also need to be creative, possess sense of aesthetics, and capable to organise team work like a Project Manager. They are performing a role just like a doctor for buildings.

Career Path
- obtain a recognised degree in Building Surveying, or equivalent;
- fulfill the professional training requirements; and
- successfully complete the professional assessment.

Reference
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
www.hkis.org.hk